Ironic
Various Artists Lyrics


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An old man turned ninety-eight
...
He won the lottery and died the next day
...
It′s a black fly in your Chardonnay

...
It's a death row pardon two minutes too late
...
Isn′t it ironic, don't you think?

...
It's like rain on your wedding day
...
It′s a free ride when you′ve already paid
...

It's the good advice that you just didn′t take
...
And who would've thought it, it figures
...
Mr. Play-It-Safe was afraid to fly

...
He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids good-bye
...
He waited his whole damn life to take that flight
...

And as the plane crashed down he thought "Well isn′t this nice"
...
And isn't it ironic, don′t you think?
...

It's like rain on your wedding day
...
It's a free ride when you′ve already paid
...

It′s the good advice that you just didn't take
...
And who would′ve thought it, it figures
...
Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
When you think everything's okay and everything′s going right
...
And life has a funny way of helping you out when
You think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up in your face
...
A traffic jam when you′re already late
...
A "No Smoking" sign on your cigarette break
...
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
...
It's meeting the man of my dreams, and meeting his beautiful wife
...
And isn′t it ironic, don′t you think?
...
A little too ironic, and yeah I really do think
...
It's like rain on your wedding day
...
It′s a free ride when you've already paid
...
It′s the good advice that you just didn't take
...




And who would′ve thought it, it figures
...

Overall Meaning

These lyrics come from Alanis Morissette's hit song "Ironic," which was released in 1995. The song is known for its lyrics that describe a number of situations that are considered ironic. The song seems to be suggesting that life is full of unpredictable twists and turns, and that sometimes the things we think are important end up being insignificant, while other things we take for granted turn out to be crucial.


Many artists have covered "Ironic" over the years, each with their unique interpretation of the lyrics. Some have turned the song into a ballad, while others have given it a more upbeat feel. Regardless of the interpretation, the lyrics always seem to resonate with audiences around the world.


The first verse of the song mentions an old man who won the lottery and died the next day. This is arguably the most famous example of irony in the song, as it seems like such a cruel twist of fate. The second verse talks about a death row pardon that comes two minutes too late, which is another instance of irony.


The chorus of the song repeats the line "Isn't it ironic, don't you think?" over and over, giving listeners an opportunity to reflect on the examples of irony mentioned in the verses. The chorus also includes three other examples of irony: rain on your wedding day, a free ride when you've already paid, and good advice that you just didn't take. These are all situations that can be seen as ironic, as they involve unexpected outcomes or twists of fate.


Line by Line Meaning

An old man turned ninety-eight
An elderly person reached a ripe old age of 98


He won the lottery and died the next day
After winning the lottery, he passed away the following day


It's a black fly in your Chardonnay
A small insect ruining a fancy glass of wine


It's a death row pardon two minutes too late
A pardon from death row, but it arrived two minutes after their execution


Isn't it ironic, don't you think?
Isn't that coincidence amusing?


It's like rain on your wedding day
Unfavorable weather on your special day


It's a free ride when you've already paid
Getting something for free after having already paid for it


It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Not listening to wise advice given to you


And who would've thought it, it figures
That's what you would expect to happen


Mr. Play-It-Safe was afraid to fly
A person who plays it safe was scared to fly


He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids good-bye
Saying goodbye to his loved ones before a trip


He waited his whole damn life to take that flight
He patiently waited his entire life to take that trip


And as the plane crashed down he thought 'Well isn't this nice'
Ironically commenting during a tragic moment


A traffic jam when you're already late
Getting stuck in traffic when you're already running behind schedule


A 'No Smoking' sign on your cigarette break
Being unable to smoke during your designated break


It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
Hypothetically, having too many of the wrong thing and not enough of the necessary thing


It's meeting the man of my dreams, and meeting his beautiful wife
Meeting the perfect person who is already taken


And isn't it ironic, don't you think?
Isn't that coincidence amusing?


A little too ironic, and yeah I really do think
Excessively coincidental


It's like rain on your wedding day
Unfavorable weather on your special day


It's a free ride when you've already paid
Getting something for free after having already paid for it


It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Not listening to wise advice given to you


And who would've thought it, it figures
That's what you would expect to happen




Writer(s): בן דוד עמוס, Ballard,glen, Morissette,alanis Nadine

Contributed by Maya C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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